Bedspring



April 11, 19.50 A. R. GYLEs 2,503,333

BED SPRING I Filed June 11, 1948 Patented Apr. 11, 1950 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE BEDSPRING Alfred R. Gyles, Liberty Grove, Md.

Application J une 11, 1948, Serial No. 32,365

7 Claims.

My invention relates to bed springs, and more particularly to a bedspring comprising a pair of vertically-spaced frame members spanned byhorizontally-disposed suspension members and including a plurality ofindividual springs interposed between the frame members and/or thesuspension members to resilently support the frame members inverticallywspaced relation. Particularly, the spring according to theinvention comprises a flexible mattress-supporting surface which isyieldable at substantially any point, whereby to permit the spring andmattress to conform to the contours of a person resting thereon.

With the foregoing in view, it is an object of my invention to providean improved bed spring of the class described.

A further object is to provide an improved bed spring which includes aplurality of spaced individual springs connecting upper and lower framemembers, said springs being xed to one frame member and slidable on theopposed frame member.

Other objects and advantages reside in the particular structure of theinvention, combination and arrangement of the several parts thereof, andwill be readily understood by those skilled in the art upon reference tothe attached drawing in connection with the following specification,wherein the invention is shown, described and claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a bed spring showing theinvention applied thereto;

Figure 2 is an edge elevation thereof;

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing the individual springstructure;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary elevational view showing a supplemental springelement;

Figure 5 is a View like Figure 4, but taken at right angles thereto andwith parts broken away and shown in longitudinal vertical section;

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the planeof the line 6 6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional View showing adetail of the spring element of Figure 3.

Referring specilically to the drawing, wherein like reference charactershave been used throughout the several views to designate like parts, I0designates generally a bed spring according to the invention whichcomprises an upper rectangular frame Il and a similar lower rectangular`frame I2. Each frame II and I2 is connected together by a plurality ofspaced transverse suspension members I3 which are preferably parallel toeach other. Likewise, each frame includes a plurality oflongitudinally-extending suspension members I4 which are likewise spacedand parallel. The suspension members I3 and I4 cross each other toprovide intersections I5. As best seen in Figures 3 and 7, thesuspension members I3 and I4 are of channeled Configuration to providehorizontally-disposed webs I6 and vertically-disposed side flanges I'I.As best seen in Figure 7, at each intersection l5, the side iianges Ilof one of the suspension members are cut away to provide aligned notchesI8 receiving the intersecting suspension member therein with the webs I6of the intersecting members abutting. Preferably, the formation of thenotches I8 is staggered at alternate intersections I5. Thus, at oneintersection I5, the notches will be formed in a longitudinal suspensionmember I4, while at the next intersection of the same longitudinalmember I4, the notches will be formed in the transverse suspensionmember I3. However, in the vertically-aligned intersections I5, and asclearly shown in Figure 3, it is preferred that the notches I8 be notalternated. Thus, in Figure 3, the notches I8 are formed in thelongitudinal suspension member I4 in both instances. This structurepermits vertical exing at each intersection I5 in both the upper and thelower frame. However, by alternating the notches at alternateintersections, no one set of suspension members is materially weakenedand, also, each suspension member is flexible despite its channeledconfiguration at one 0r more points along its length. Moreover, it ispreferred that the abutting web IB at each intersection I5 be iixedlysecured together in any suitable manner, as by being spotwelded to eachother and/or riveted to each other.

Each intersection I5 of the upper suspension members I3 and i4 hassecured to the under side thereof the apex of an inverted V-shapedspring I9. Said spring has a pair of downwardlydiverging legs 2I`, thefree ends of which are slidably received in the upwardly-directedchannel of a suspension member I4 of the lower frame. Likewise, at eachintersection I5 of the lower suspension members there is secured theapex of a substantially V-shaped spring 20. The springs 23 are identicalto the springs I9 except for their reversed position and includediverging legs 22, the free ends of which are slidably received in thedownwardly-directed channels of the transverse upper suspension membersI3. Thus, the springs I9 and 20 are offset to a degree 3U are staggeredin adjacent suspension mem-- bers I4 whereby there is a spring 30between every,-

other pair of adjacent intersections I5. Obviously,

instead of placing the auxiliary springs 3D. on the:

longitudinal suspension members, they could be located on the transversesuspension members I3 or partially on the transverse suspension membersand some on the longitudinal frame members. The auxiliary springs 30lare best seen inl Figures 4, 5 and 6, and comprise an upper sleeve 3|including an upper end interposed between the flanges Il of an uppersuspension member I4. and pivotally connected to such flanges by meansof a horizontally-disposed pivot 32 spanning such flanges. The sleeves3| may be rectangular in cross-section, as shown, and opposite sidesthereof are provided with longitudinallyextending slots 33. plementaryto the sleeve 3|, is slidably received therein. Each plunger 34.includesa lower end extending axially outwardly of the sleeve 3|. Such lower endis pivotally connected between the flanges Il of a lowersuspensionmember i4 by means of a pivot 35 spanning such flanges. Eachplunger 34 includes a pair of laterally oppositely-directed lugs 36which are slidable in the slots 33 of the sleeves 3|. A compressive coilspring 3l is interposedbetween the upper end 4of each plunger 34 and thepivots 32 for the sleeves 3|. The upper and lower ends of the sleeves 3|and the plungers 34, respectively, are. ipreferably rounded, as at 38and 39, and, as= shown, in View of the fact that the pivots 32 and 35are parallel, limited lateral displacement of the upper frame l andlower frame I2 is permitted by the arrangement.

It follows from the foregoing that each upper and lowerframe includesintersecting suspension members of .channeled configuration, whereby thesuspension members are rigid between thev Thus, each suspension membercomprises alternate rigid and vertically-flexible por tions, eachintersection comprisesa rigid por-- notches I 8.

tion of one frame member and a vertically-nexible portion of anintersecting frame member, and the rigid and exible portions of adjacenttransverse and adjacent longitudinal suspension members are staggered,whereby each adjacent intersection is flexible on a different suspensionmember. members of channeled configuration, with the channels facingeach other, means are provided.

Consequently, while I` have shown and de;l

A plunger 34, which is corn-Y Likewise, by forming the suspensionvscribed what is now thought to be a preferred embodiment of theinvention, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of otherforms and expressions. Consequently, I do not limit myself to theprecise structure shown and described hereinabove except as hereinafterclaimed.

I claim:

l. A bed spring, comprising an upper frame and a similar lower frame,each frame including a plurality of spaced and parallelsuspensionmembers extending longitudinally' ofthe frame and a plurality of spacedand parallel suspension members extending transversely of said frame toprovide a plurality of intersections with said first-mentionedsuspension members, means resiliently mounting said frames inverticallyspacedrelation with like intersections of each framevertically aligned, said means comprising a plurality of V-shapedsprings each including a pair of converging legs providing an apex andfree ends, there beingl an apex of a spring secured to each intersectionof each frame,V opposed springs of aligned intersections being angularlyoffset to correspond to the angularity of said-intersections, and thefree ends of the springs `of each frame slidably engaging opposedsuspension members of the other frame.

2. A bed spring, comprising an upper frame and a similar lower frame,each frameincluding a plurality of spaced and parallel suspensionmembers extending longitudinally of the frame; and a plurality of spacedand parallel suspension members4 pension members of each frame being.formed with longitudinal channels facing the other frame, and Said freeends of saidsprings .of each frame` being slidably seated in saidvchannels of the op-.

posed suspension -membersofthe other frame.

3. A bed spring, comprising an upper: frame and a similar lower frame,each frame including.

a plurality of spaced and parallel, suspension members extendinglongitudinally ofy the frame and aplurality of spaced. andjparallelsuspension members extending transversely of said frame to provide aplurality of .intersections with said rstmentioned suspensionmemb'ers,means resilientlymounting said, frames` in verticallyspaced. relationwith like intersections ofleachframevertically aligned, said meanscomprising aplurality of V-shaped springs each .includingA a pair ofconverging legs providing an apex and'free ends,.

there being an apex of a spring. secured'to each intersection of eachframe, opposed. springs of aligned intersections being angularly offsetto cor-v respond to the angularity of. said intersections, all ofjsaidsuspension membersbeing. of channeled 'configuration providinghorizontal webs and` vertical side-flanges, the flanges of.onesuspension member at each intersectionbeing formed:

to provide notches receiving the intersecting:sus-v pensionmembertherein with webs `ot the intera. sectng suspension membersabutting,said notches: permitting. Vertical flexing, of one suspension. ,memberateach intersection,.andfsaid freeendsy of said springs of each framebeing slidably seated in said channels of the opposed suspension membersof the other frame.

4. A bed spring, comprising an upper 'frame and a similar lower frame,each frame includingA a plurality of spaced and parallel suspensionmembers extending longitudinally of the frame and a plurality of spacedand parallel suspension members extending tranversely of said frame toprovide a plurality of intersections with said rstf mentioned suspensionmembers, means resiliently mounting said frames in vertically-spacedrelation with like intersections of each frame verf tically aligned,said means comprising a plurality of V-shaped springs each including apair of converging legs providing an apex and free ends, there being anapex of a spring secured to each intersection of each frame, opposedsprings of aligned intersections being angularly offset to correspond tothe angularity of said intersections,

said suspension members of each frame being formed with longitudinalchannels facing the other frame, said free ends of said springs of eachframe being slidably seated in said channels of the opposed suspensionmembers of the other frame, compressive coil springs connecting saidsuspension members between said intersections, a pair of telescopingsleeves surrounding said coil springs, and means connecting each sleeveof each pair to an opposed suspension member.

5. A bed spring, comprising an upper frame and a similar lower frame,each frame including a plurality of spaced and parallel suspensionmembers extending longitudinally of the frame and a plurality of spacedand parallel suspension rnembers extending transversely of said frame toprovide a plurality of intersections with said rstmentioned suspensionmembers, means resiliently mounting said frames in vertically-spacedrelation with like intersections of each frame vertically aligned, saidmeans comprising a plurality of V-shaped springs each including a pairof converging legs providing an apex and free ends, there being an apexof a, spring secured to each intersection of each frame, opposed springsof a Pair 0f telescoping sleeves surrounding said coil springs. andhorizontal pivots pivotally connectingy each sleeve of each pair to anopposed suspension member.

6. A bed spring, comprising an upper frame a similar lower frame, eachframe including a. plurality o! spaced and parallel suspension membersextending longitudinally of the frame and a plurality of spaced andparallel suspension members extendingtransversely of said frame toprovide a plurality of intersections with said first-mentionedrsuspension members, means resiliently mounting said frames" inverticallyspaced relation with like intersectionsl of each framevertically aligned, said means comprising a plurality of y-shapedsprings each including a pair of convergingvv legs providing an apex andfree ends, there being an apex. of a springsecured to each intersectionof each' frame, opposed springs of alignedintersections being angularlyoffset to correspond to the angularity of said in tersections, the freeends of the springs of each frame slidably engaging opposed suspensionmembers of the other frame, said suspension members each includingalternating rigid and vertically-iiexible` portions, each intersectioncomprising a :dexible portion of one suspension member and a rigidportion of an intersecting suspension member, and the rigid and iiexibleportions of adjacent parallel suspension members being staggered wherebyeach suspension member is alternately rigid and exible at successiveintersections.

7. A bed spring, comprising upper and lower frames, each frame includinga plurality of longitudinal and transverse suspension members disposedin intersecting relation to provide a plurality of intersections, theintersections of said upper and lower frames being vertically aligned,compressive springs interposed between said vertically-alignedintersections for resiliently supporting said upper frame invertically-'spaced relation to said lower frame, said suspension memberseach including alternating rigid and vertically-iiexible portions, eachintersection comprising a flexible portion of one suspension member anda rigid portion of an intersecting suspension member, and the rigid andflexible portions of adjacent longitudinal suspension members andadjacent transverse suspension members being staggered whereby eachsuspension member is alternately rigid and flexible at successiveintersections.

ALFRED R. GYLES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 88,070 Partello Mar. 23, 18691,248,671 Kelley Dec. 4, 1917 1,286,607 Hammrich Dec. 3, 1918 2,068,996Smith Jan. 26, 1937 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 90,056 GermanyJan. 9, 1897 574 Great Britain A. D. 1877

